Cargo container construction

ABSTRACT

This application discloses a cargo container, especially suited for use in aircraft, which has means providing for ventilation through the walls by the basic structure of the container, specifically by a combination of corrugated wall panels and end rails therefor.

United States Patent Russell-French 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] CARGO CONTAINERCONSTRUCTION [561 References Cited [7 21 Inventor: Harry M.Russell-French, Philadelphia, UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,613,836 10/1952Newhall et al ..220/l.5 [73] Assignee: Boothe Airside Services, Inc.3,456,830 7/1969 Golder ..220/ 1.5

[22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1969 Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Leclair AssistantExaminer-James R. Garrett PP 889,056 Attamey---Stowell& Stowell [52]U.S.Cl ..'...220/l. 5, 220/6, 220/83 I [57] CT [51] Int. Cl... 365d87/00 This application discloses a cargo container, especially 581 FieldofSearch; ..'....220/s3, 1.5, 84, 71, 6; f in alrcrafi which has mews pa for venhlqtm through the walls by the basic structure of thecontainer,

specifically'by a combination of corrugated. wall panels and 1 end railstherefor.

2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATI'INTEIJ R 7 I972 SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTOR.

HARRY M. RUSSELL-FRENCH BY// ATTORNEY PATENTEDMAR 7 I972 SHEET 2 [IF 2ATTORNEY BACKGROUND OF INVENTION There is increasing use of unit cargocontainers which can readily be handled by power transfer devices atexchange or terminal points. Containers of this type are usually madeweathertight to protect the goods. However, some ventilation is usuallyneeded for various reasons, as for change of volume with temperature,change of volume or pressure with height while airborne, change ofpressure with applied cooling or heating for the benefit of the goods,or for transfer of gases through the walls for decontamination toeliminate or prevent insects, small animals and the like.

Ventilation for cargo containers has usually been provided by the use oflocal louvers in the walls of the containers, this adding undesirablecost and weight, and besides, providing inadequately distributed passageof gases (the term including air, spray, decontaminent, etc. in or outof the container.

SYNOPSIS OF INVENTION The present invention provides extensiveventilation of otherwise sealed containers by a built-in structure whichadds no weight or cost to the construction and may actually reduce thecost and weight while at the same time providing very wide distributionof the points of ventilation. This is accomplished by forming walls ofcorrugated sheet material and securing structural rigidifying andstrengthening reinforcing rails over the ends of the corrugations withsufficient spacing or standoff to provide the desired gas passage aroundthe ends of the corrugated sheets.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description of anillustrative embodiment, reference being made to the accompanyingdrawings thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagrammatic view of a cargo container in whichthe present construction is used;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged local perspective view, partially in section, inthe zone 2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT The container shown in FIG. 1 is ofa shape adapted to fit in the cargo space of aircraft having sidessloping outward and upward from the floor. The container includes a baseor floor panel 10, an inboard end panel 11, an outboard end panel 12with a lower inclined panel part 120 hinged at 12b to an upper generallyvertical panel part 12c, a top or roof panel 13, a forward folding doorpanel 14, a rear or aft folding door panel 15, a vertical rigidifyingshear panel 16, and shelves 17.

In FIG. 2, which shows the structure of the present invention in theregion of the section line 2-2 of FIG. 1, the folding door panelappearing in FIG. 1 has been omitted for clarity.

The present construction can be incorporated at various places in thecontainer assembly, either at the top as shown or at the bottom, but formost purposes it is sufiicient to have ventilation at the top across theends. It is shown at the top of the inboard end panel 11 where thispanel is connected to the top or roof panel 13. v

The end panel 11 is formed of corrugated sheet material, such asaluminum, with the corrugations extending vertically. Preferably, thecorrugations include flat plate portions 20 and connecting web portions21 which are either square or normal to the plate portions or inclinedto the plate portions.

The panel is reinforced at the lower and upper ends as by a transverserail 22 of angular shape having a transverse web'23 and at least oneside flange 24. Preferably there is an opposite side flange 25, givingthe rail a channel shape fitting closely at its side flanges against thesides of the plate portions 20 of the corrugated sheet. The flange ofthe rail is secured in any convenient manner to the corrugated sheet,conveniently by blind rivets 26 as shown. Other forms of connectionmight be sheet metal screws, weldin adhesive, or other known means.

The roof panel 13 as a bottom spacer rail 30 which is connected to theend top rail 22, as by a running hinge unit 31.

The web 23 of the rail 22 is located above the ends of the corrugationsof the panel sheet. This spacing or stand-off provides a space for theflow of gas along the valley of the corrugation, over the upper end anddown a corrugation valley on the other side. This prevents differentialpressure from existing on opposite sides of the wall such as might beotherwise created at different altitudes and temperatures, with possiblewall damage; and also provides for the transfer of gas through the wallfor decontamination, cooling, heating, or other desired purposes.

The gas transfer is along a very extensive length so that the effect isvery rapid and complete even when there may be local obstructions whichwould prevent proper distribution if local louvers were provided in thewall. And since the transfer passage at each point or corrugation isindirect there is little chance of blockage even if goods are placeddirectly against the wall.

The formation of the ventilating structure is a part of the basicelements and construction and does not increase the weight or cost ortime required to make the parts and fabricate the structure. It mayactually reduce the weight, and this is an extremely importantconsideration for containers used in aircraft.

It has been suggested above that ventilation at the top of the panelswill normally be sufficient but since it is contemplated that all wallsof the container, except perhaps the floor or bottom panel, will be madeof corrugated sheets with reinforcing rails, it will be seen thatventilation structure can be widely distributed in the container asdesired.

When ventilation is provided at the top there is little chance of waterentry if the container should be left outdoors for a time. Ventilationat the bottom will provide that there will be no place for water to beheld in the assembly, adequate drainage being provided if the structureshould be such as to collect water temporarily.

If there should be a problem with vermin or flying particles, as mightbe encountered it the containers should be stored in warehouses oroutdoors, this may be overcome by placing a fine mesh screen, as ofwire, directly over the ends of the corrugations during construction andhaving an angular part of the screen engaged with at least one flange ofthe rail or cap strip. When this screening is provided it will beimpossible for mice, insects, flying particles or the like of anynormally encountered size to pass over the ends of the corrugated sheetswhile still permitting free gas exchange.

While one embodiment of the invention has been described by way ofillustration, it is to be understood that there may be variousembodiments and modifications within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A cargo container construction, comprising in combination, a wallpanel formed of corrugated sheet material, and an inverted channel railhaving its side flanges secured to the sides of the corrugated sheetalong an end thereof, the channel rail axis being at right-angles to thelongitudinal axes of the corrugations, the bight of the channel railbeing spaced from said corrugated sheet end, a tubular spacer railsecured to the top of the bight of said channel rail, an edge of a roofpanel secured to the top of said tubular spacer rail, the plane of saidwall panel being normally orthogonal to the plane of said roof panel.

2. The cargo container construction of claim 1 wherein a running hingeunit secures said tubular spacer rail to said channel rail, to therebypermit the roof panel to pivot about the edge of the wall panel.

1. A cargo container construction, comprising in combination, a wall panel formed of corrugated sheet material, and an inverted channel rail having its side flanges secured to the sides of the corrugated sheet along an end thereof, the channel rail axis being at right-angles to the longitudinal axes of the corrugations, the bight of the channel rail being spaced from said corrugated sheet end, a tubular spacer rail secured to thE top of the bight of said channel rail, an edge of a roof panel secured to the top of said tubular spacer rail, the plane of said wall panel being normally orthogonal to the plane of said roof panel.
 2. The cargo container construction of claim 1 wherein a running hinge unit secures said tubular spacer rail to said channel rail, to thereby permit the roof panel to pivot about the edge of the wall panel. 